I had a sneaky feeling there was no way we would get 3 wins on the trot at home, hence I predicted a one all draw.
But little did I suspect that Stoke would run out such convincing winners today either. Which they were.
While I’m a very emotional type of fan, along with most of us, I always try to see the better side of things and always try to shy away from the “disgraceful” type comments, particularly in headline posts.
But let’s make no bones about it, Stoke were by far the better side today.
And we were frankly a bloody disgrace.
It all started so well too.
We were knocking the ball around nicely and I even commented that we looked class for the first few minutes where we took a deserved lead via Benteke.
And then, I just don’t know what happened.
We conceded a goal and it seems we just collapsed, with the second coming shortly after.
After that, I just don’t know what to say.
We offered absolutely nothing and seemed increasingly desperate as the game went on.
Let’s sum things up, as I can’t be arsed to actually talk about the game, I’m so wound up;
Simply awful defence.
Shocking tackling all over the place.
First away win for Stoke since August.
Stoke equalled their highest away win ever in the Prem.
First time Stoke have beaten us at home in 38 years (might have heard that wrong).
And the final insult?
They looked a class above us.
Do you know what made me laugh today?
The fans booing Stoke’s delaying tactics, when I’ve criticised us for the very same thing and got slated because “it’s professional”.
Couple all this with the fact that I don’t recall seeing the ground so empty with ten minutes to go, in donkey’s years and I’m minded to think it was a bad day at the office.
No it wasn’t. It was way worse than that.
As for Holt on for the last 10 minutes, I just despair.
Just as things were looking so rosy after last week.
I think I’d best leave it at that.
When Stoke scored the third goal some of our players were arguing. Benteke and Vlaar had words and Delph moved Vlaar away. Benteke also had words with Bacuna. It looked heated and only lasted a minute or so
I am going to put my neck on the line and it is about Holt, i will start by saying he is what he is a workhorse target man, he has no flare. When he came on he harrassed the Stoke players and ran to press for the ball, this is something our strikers rarely do especially Benteke. Holt is past it and has probably got a couple of seasons in the championship left in him, i would though before he goes to show our superstar striker that he has to work for the ball especially in a team thatis based on pressure and pass and move football. I am of the belief on his day Benteke is a great player but the two thirds he does not bother he is a liability. Also something Holt can pass on that he is good at is his off ball movements that separate defences. If Benteke added this to his game he would be a world beater unfortunately i feel he is at times lazy.
I agree to a degree about Bennett but his match fitness is not great. Still getting over Sylla he is abysmal. Think Westwood played well
i noticed bacuna body language when they scored the 4th. someone skinned him and bacuna just stopped and turned back to goal started 2 walk away. i hate pointing fingers and bacuna isn’t a defender. but the system we adopt were fullbacks are the width when attacking leaves us stretched when defending. baker and vlaar were not at the best always but weren’t helped
I agree if you are going to play a system where the full backs are the width you need full backs with real decent defending quality as well as pace,pass & dribbling quality.When you have the likes of Bacuna who is good on his day but makes a lot of errors as he is not of a proper quality ATM or Bennett even Bertrand is not that good either you will be exposed.On Sunday Stoke exposed AVFC.Stoke where targeting Bacuna & Bertrand from the off.
Just put new post up
New post https://www.astonvillanewsandviews.co.uk/is-it-now-time-for-lambert-to-go/
Nath, I thought like you his shoulders dropped and he knew that it was down to him, also no one could see that he was the main target by putting the ball passed him for most of the goals. Baker well as people on here saying boys against men, and yet they are 24 plus in age but don’t learn. Bad when they reverted to fouls to get the ball, no excuse player’s manager and coaches are disgusting to give Villa fans games like them, should give people their money back.
totally agree with all you say bill. i have issues with the players mainly, only cos they are 24 as you pointed out. i think its about time they stood up and started 2b counted on. managers don’t hold their hands now do they.
mistake were plentiful ~ blaming the manager is the easy cop out. stoke players were better and carried out their tactics far better, than ours. maybe ours players believed it was gonna be a stroll in the park, having gone one nil to the good
I spent £120 yesterday taking my family to to VP. Awful absolutely awful. Baker can not pass has no ability what so ever on the ball. At best Chamionship player. Bacunna and Bettrand poor. Bertrand really disappointing. Westwood light weight and in affective. Sylla can’t pass no pace. Agbonalhor disgrace, LAZY LAZY. Needs to be dropped. Benteke tried for half an hour then gave up. BUT the worse aspect and most disgraceful and can not be ignored was the lack of Lambert. He sat in the dug out and hid away. Gave no direction or encouragement. Lambert was an embarrassment he let the fans down he failed to deal with the lack of passion and enthusiasm from awful players. I heard him afterwards saying the performance want good enought. Well Mr lambert your right. Time for you to GO.
Ted I could see that so called Villa manager now all he did was sit and twiddle his fingers, the so called coaches open mouth doing fuck all to drive their players, as you said waist of money not buying anything from Villa till I see change in Villa park.
Bill having a manager who hides away and refuses and is unable to motivate players is a disgrace. Lambert was embarrassing. How can a manager challenge his underperforming players when he himself hides away. Lambert has bought some very poor players. AGBONLAHOR is a disgrace Lazy and arrogant Lambert needs to go so does AGBONLAHOR. Mind you Baker has no ball control can’t pass and has no pace. Lambert and Lerner out
Just put new post up
we need a complete clear out starting with given hutton baker/clarke luna herd albrighton sylla bent bowery gardner not going to make it either entire mangement plus ceo we need men proper six footers put kea and westwood on list as well give a few off a chance
it was lerner who appointed houillier mac leish lambert wasted about 25 million on bent and makoun what wages against appearance about 20 million on given hutton nzog jenas same again hom many appearances lambert has spent about 30 to 35 million how many appearances bowery helnius steer sylla dawkins tonev even holt unlucky with okore and kozack not to mind paying oneil houiller mac leish off paying blues compensation
Just put a new pits up
Pretty bad business when you look at it like that!
For me, this was the most disappointing game of the season. It promised so much after the Chelsea win. Could it be 3 home wins in a row?! A positive record for a change?! Then came kick off and we played some really good quick passing football leading up to the goal, which I thought was an absolute classic. I was excited at that point thinking maybe we had turned a corner (not the first time I’ve mistakenly thought that this season)! After we scored it just went totally down the pan and by half time the players and the manager had completely given up. No wonder half the home crowd decided to flip off home.